Osimhen reminds me of Cavani, says Napoli captain Insigne

By Akeem Lawal 

NAPOLI captain Lorenzo Insigne has likened Victor Osimhen with former Partenopei forward Edinson Cavani after the Nigeria international made an impressive Serie A debut in the club’s 2-0 victory over Parma at the Ennio Tardini on Sunday.

Following a goalless first half, Napoli boss Gennaro Gattuso took off Diego Demme in the 62nd minute, bringing on Osimhen for his first official game since joining the Italian giants from Lille in a big-money move worth up to €80 million during the summer.

Sportsbiz247.blogspot.com reports that the introduction of the Nigerian saw Napoli come alive as the club’s all-time top scorer Mertens hit the target in the 64th minute before Insigne doubled their lead in the 77th minute.

In his post-match interview, Insigne said he reminds him ‘a bit of Cavani’, who scored 104 goals in 138 games for the Partenopei between 2010 and 2013.

“He didn’t just impress me, but the whole group,” Insigne told Sky Sport Italia. “When he attacks it is devastating, as we saw today.

“He reminds me a bit of Cavani, for how he attacks the depth. He will give us a hand because he brings something different to me and Dries [Mertens], and his speed can be important.

“We told him to stay calm, he’s young. He has potential and needs to grow, but we will help him.”

Insigne however wants the team to be more clinical on the counter.

“We must be more clinical on the counterattack and it starts with me. The coach asked us to attack the area well.

“In the first half there were many crosses and only Mertens was in the area. In the second half, we did more and we won the game.”